Chocolate cravings attack EVERY night, without fail... tips?

callingoctober
callingoctober Posts: 16 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I've tried everything. Keeping it out of the house makes me gorge myself three days later while I'm out somewhere, or keeps me up all night thinking about it in a bad mood, and having it in the house makes it too easy to eat too much of it. Does anyone have any solid tips for late-night chocolate cravings that aren't just willpower? I've been able to do that with a lot of other bad eating/sleep/exercise habits, but this one is my achilles heel, and I need a little more advice!
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Replies

  • Kathy53925
    Kathy53925 Posts: 241 Member
    How about the sugar free Hersheys mini candy bars? They are 30 calories each. I got them at Walgreens and WalMart.


    http://www.hersheys.com/pure-products/hersheys-sugar-free-candies/assortment.aspx
  • laus_8882
    laus_8882 Posts: 217 Member
    Really dark chocolate? I can nibble about 50g over the course of a day if I'm really in a chocolate mood, but generally I find that 10-30g is enough to satisfy cravings. Plus, you know, dark chocolate is the new red wine. You get to feel smug and superior while nomming!
  • chanson104
    chanson104 Posts: 859
    Really dark chocolate? I can nibble about 50g over the course of a day if I'm really in a chocolate mood, but generally I find that 10-30g is enough to satisfy cravings. Plus, you know, dark chocolate is the new red wine. You get to feel smug and superior while nomming!
    I agree with this! Eating dark chocolate satisfies my cravings!
  • capriciousmoon
    capriciousmoon Posts: 1,263 Member
    If you know you are going to crave it, plan for it and pre-add it to your food diary. An easy way to avoid eating too much is to stick to single serving sized things.
  • Sourpusscandy
    Sourpusscandy Posts: 14
    get ya some magnesium citrate start w/200 mg, gradually up to 800 mg, in the evening before bed. will help with sleep, insulin, regularity and cravings.
  • sparklelioness
    sparklelioness Posts: 600 Member
    I crave sweets after dinner-i always have. Rather than not let myself have any and be unhappy (and end up bingeing), i've found great lower cal, healthier replacements. These almost always leave me satisfied enough so that i dont binge.

    Skinny Cow Heavenly Crisp in peanutbutter chocolate-110 cals, and doesnt taste like diet at all

    So Delicious coconut milk ice cream in cookies and cream ice cream - 140 cals 1/2 cup- sweet, creamy and satisfying

    Trader Joes mint mini mouthfuls-mint ice cream between two oreo-like sandwich cookies, 60 cals each. Two do the trick

    And so on. Weight Watchers and Skinny Cow make good lowcal fudgesicles. Dont deny uourself, just find better options and work them in :)
  • callingoctober
    callingoctober Posts: 16 Member
    These are great you guys/gals! Keep em coming :)
  • Anayalata
    Anayalata Posts: 391 Member
    I used to go through bags of chocolate in a matter of days.

    Then I discovered willpower.
  • martymum
    martymum Posts: 413 Member
    hi

    I don't know what country you are from but I buy a large bar of galaxy, each piece is 23 cals and I have a strip of 5 most nights..115 cals and I plan for it.

    I gave up smoking and used that as an excuse to eat lots of choc so I know its my weakness but knowing I am having a bit at night controls the cravings.

    martyxx
  • Heather_Rider
    Heather_Rider Posts: 1,159 Member
    i buy a 3 muskateer candy bar & cut it into 3 pieces.. i have one piece when i want it... its like 70 cals.........

    but stop with one... portion control is key! <3
  • thetrapezeswinger
    thetrapezeswinger Posts: 16
    Can't go wrong with a little bit of dark chocolate. A little goes a long way and it'll take care of the cravings. (:
  • alovesopure
    alovesopure Posts: 610
    How about the sugar free Hersheys mini candy bars? They are 30 calories each. I got them at Walgreens and WalMart.


    http://www.hersheys.com/pure-products/hersheys-sugar-free-candies/assortment.aspx

    Yeah I buy these too. Nice to have every now and then :D
  • evalt1
    evalt1 Posts: 9
    Eat more fruit during the day. And your cravings for candy will go away :)
  • Oishii
    Oishii Posts: 2,675 Member
    I've found 85% cocoa is the strength I can't binge on! Milk chocolate will be gone within minutes, but 85% lasts weeks. I've also noticed that the chocolate cravings almost vanish if I eat at maintenance and intensify depending on my deficit, so I wonder if there's an element of balancing sugars involved for me.

    Hope that helps :flowerforyou:
  • sashimimaniac
    sashimimaniac Posts: 71 Member
    Ghradelli 72% Dark Cocao is the best. I also find that, sometimes, drinking water before you reach for the snack really helps. After I drink a glass of water, I find that most of the time I no longer crave anything.
  • cartmail
    cartmail Posts: 36 Member
    Try chocolate mousses there usually around 100 cals and they work for me
  • tamraj
    tamraj Posts: 50 Member
    DISCLAIMER FIRST- this is what my doctor recommended for me but you should ALWAYS do your own research and consult your own doc (that is good advice for anything you read on MFP).

    Chromium Polynicotinate is said to regulate blood sugar as well as offer other benefits. I take 200 mcg at dinner time and it does seem to help with sweet snacky cravings. Also, I use a tsp of cinnamon for the same reason- I know the trials were small and possibly inconclusive etc, but I am not allergic to it, I like it and at that amount there aren't any side effects, so I decided it can't hurt.

    With all that said, I also do some of what others have posted- try to pre- plan in an evening snack, use light chocolate soy milk as well as chocolate shredded mini wheats (chocolate and fiber!) and eat dark chocolate in small amounts, I have never had a whole lot of success with totally denying my cravings as it seems to be a set up for a massive cheat!

    good luck!
  • AudreyandHana
    AudreyandHana Posts: 10 Member
    I buy the tiny fun size bars and freeze them. They then takes ages to eat and you feel as if you are really indulging yourself. I never ever reach for a second one by the time I have worked my way through the first and I have the worst sweet tooth ever.
  • NinjaBeth90
    NinjaBeth90 Posts: 43
    Low cal hot chocolate is great :) In England there's a drink called "options" - its low cal, I don't if you get it in America though but if not options there should be something similar - each mug is like between 38 - 44 cals depending on the flavor. They really do cure my chocolate urges :)

    Beth x
  • tamraj
    tamraj Posts: 50 Member
    I used to go through bags of chocolate in a matter of days.

    Then I discovered willpower.



    That is fine until the day comes when for some reason you can't find where the hell you left it last! :ohwell:
    Better to have a couple of good strategies and battle plans up your sleeve, I think.:heart:
  • ATOLLIT
    ATOLLIT Posts: 149
    Low cal hot chocolate is great :) In England there's a drink called "options" - its low cal, I don't if you get it in America though but if not options there should be something similar - each mug is like between 38 - 44 cals depending on the flavor. They really do cure my chocolate urges :)

    Beth x

    This is what I was going to say - Options hot chocolate works as well for my chocolate cravings as a strip off a huge dairy milk bar, or possibly better actually as I can never be bothered to go downstairs, boil the kettle and make some more after the first one!
  • the3rdwife
    the3rdwife Posts: 43 Member
    I crave chocolate so I work some into my daily plan. with dark chocolate you get more for your cals & need less. Make an occasion of it so your mind knows you are oding it. break some chocolate peices onto a plate & put the rest of the bar away. Sit down somewhere & focus on eating it. you will eat less & satisfy your craving..
  • stargazer008
    stargazer008 Posts: 531
    Flavoured black tea like caramel flavoured, vanilla flavoured, chocolate flavoured, etc. There's also herbals teas that are flavourful. Try David's Tea and Teavana for many flavoured teas that may help with the cravings.
  • ericgAU
    ericgAU Posts: 271
    Really dark chocolate? I can nibble about 50g over the course of a day if I'm really in a chocolate mood, but generally I find that 10-30g is enough to satisfy cravings. Plus, you know, dark chocolate is the new red wine. You get to feel smug and superior while nomming!

    All i can say is...............GO THE BUNNIES!!!!

    Oh sorry to the OP. Distracted by someones avatar.

    I was a chocoholic. Mum worked at a chocolate factory so growing up chocolate was always in plentiful supply. About year ago I totally abstained from eating chocolate. Cold turkey. Infact I gave sugar the flick. The reason you cant stop is the sugar cravings. It takes a couple of weeks or more in some cases but if you go cold turkey your body will adjust. I now only eat chocolate rarely and having a small piece is more than enough.
  • paprikas
    paprikas Posts: 118 Member
    I have this every day, it feels like something special and is only 100 calories. Put a cup of skim milk in the microwave for 2 minutes. Then add a couple of sweeteners ( I use natvia as it seems healthier). Then stir in 2 teaspoonsful of cocoa powder, buy something strong and indulgent as it will last for ages. Stir well, find a peaceful spot and... Luxury!
  • ShaunMc1968
    ShaunMc1968 Posts: 204
    Just budget for a small amount in your daily calories - This is about a lifestyle change not about quick fix and back out into the world again. I have the odd beer or wine, I also slip a snickers in when calories are availabe. If they are not available a 20 minute walk gives you some calories to play with.
  • ShaunMc1968
    ShaunMc1968 Posts: 204
    I have this every day, it feels like something special and is only 100 calories. Put a cup of skim milk in the microwave for 2 minutes. Then add a couple of sweeteners ( I use natvia as it seems healthier). Then stir in 2 teaspoonsful of cocoa powder, buy something strong and indulgent as it will last for ages. Stir well, find a peaceful spot and... Luxury!

    This is a fantastic tip!!
  • Cal28
    Cal28 Posts: 514 Member
    I've been planning chocolate into my diary everyday and it was fine and the weight was still going... until now - I've been at a plateau for a month now despite still gymming and being under my cals.

    Lots of people seemed to agree (on my plateau thread) that a calorie is not a calorie so you could try what I'm going to do? I'm now going to plan choc in every other day and then try and cut down to twice a week, then once a week...

    It not easy but if I can get that bar on my weight moving (in the right direction) again then it'll be worth it.

    I personally don't think going cold turkey ever works as I'd binge so just trying to turn my habit into a little bit of what I fancy rather than too much of what I fancy xx
  • SarahSosi
    SarahSosi Posts: 349 Member
    i just now ate 3 small pieces of dark choclate :( and i feel damn guilty! i love choclate alot! this is y i can't get my weight down easily :( please help me to control my self? any tipes?:love::brokenheart:
  • XXXMinnieXXX
    XXXMinnieXXX Posts: 3,459 Member
    Hot chocolate is good. First few weeks r tough but it's true the less you eat, the less you want after those initial few weeks x

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